Self-Harm Statistics UK: 2026 Facts, Data & Key Insights

This page contains statistics and information about self-harm. If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or text SHOUT to 85258.

Self-harm is a significant public health concern in the UK, affecting millions of people across all age groups. The most recent data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) 2023/24 reveals that 10.3% of adults aged 16–74 report having engaged in non-suicidal self-harm at some point in their lives. This represents a substantial increase from 3.8% in 2007 and 6.4% in 2014, indicating a growing prevalence of this behaviour over the past two decades. Hospital admissions data for young people tells a more complex story, with recent years showing a decline in admission rates despite increased awareness and help-seeking behaviour. Understanding these statistics is crucial for healthcare professionals, educators, and anyone working in mental health support.

Key Facts About Self-Harm in the UK

  • 10.3% of UK adults aged 16–74 report lifetime non-suicidal self-harm, according to the APMS 2023/24
  • Prevalence has increased from 3.8% in 2007 to 10.3% in 2023/24, more than doubling in just 16 years
  • Estimated 13–14% of young people under 18 acknowledge self-harm in any one year
  • 27,736 hospital admissions for intentional self-harm among aged 10–24 in England in 2023/24
  • This represents a 15% decrease from 32,624 admissions in the previous year, the lowest figure since records began in 2011/12
  • Girls and young women have significantly higher admission rates: 433 per 100,000 compared to 104 per 100,000 for males aged 10–24
  • The 15–19 age group saw a 37% increase in self-harm rates between 2011/12 and 2021/22
  • Fewer than 1 in 10 adolescent self-harm episodes result in hospital admission, indicating the tip of the iceberg phenomenon
  • Self-harm is strongly associated with depression, anxiety, post–traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions
  • LGBTQ+ young people experience disproportionately higher rates of self-harm
  • Cyberbullying and school bullying are identified as significant risk factors for self-harming behaviour
  • Limited access to mental health services is cited as a contributing factor to inadequate support for individuals who self-harm

Prevalence of Self-Harm in Adults

The APMS 2023/24 provides the most recent comprehensive picture of self-harm prevalence among UK adults. The finding that 10.3% of adults aged 16–74 have engaged in non-suicidal self-harm at some point represents a significant public health concern. To contextualise this figure, approximately 5.3 million adults in the UK may have a history of self-harm, though many may not have sought formal support or accessed healthcare services.

The upward trend in prevalence is particularly striking. In 2007, when APMS first measured non-suicidal self-harm, only 3.8% of adults reported lifetime engagement. By 2014, this had risen to 6.4%. The jump to 10.3% in just nine years between 2014 and 2023/24 suggests that either more people are engaging in self-harm, or greater awareness and reduced stigma are enabling more honest reporting. The true picture likely involves both factors. This trend aligns with increased awareness campaigns, destigmatisation efforts, and improvements in survey methodology that may encourage more honest responses to sensitive questions.

Gender differences in adult prevalence are notable but less pronounced than in younger age groups. While the data shows higher rates among women, the differential is smaller than observed in adolescents. This pattern may reflect either differing trajectories of self-harm across the lifespan, or different help-seeking and disclosure patterns between genders in adulthood.

Hospital Admissions for Self-Harm in Young People

NHS Digital data on hospital admissions for self-harm among young people presents a nuanced picture. In 2023/24, there were 27,736 hospital admissions for intentional self-harm among those aged 10–24 in England. While this might seem substantial, the 15% decrease from the previous year (32,624 admissions) represents the lowest figure since hospital admissions data began in 2011/12. This recent decline, observed alongside increased media coverage and apparent heightened help-seeking behaviour, suggests several possible explanations: improved early intervention services, increased access to community-based mental health support, or changes in the severity of self-harm presentations that reach hospital level.

Gender disparities in hospital admissions are striking and consistent. Young women aged 10–24 have admission rates of 433 per 100,000, compared to 104 per 100,000 for young men of the same age—a more than fourfold difference. This significant gender gap persists across almost all age groups within this range. The reasons are multifactorial: societal expectations around emotional expression, different help-seeking patterns, varying methods of self-harm with differing severity, and potentially distinct underlying aetiologies between genders. The 15–19 age group merits particular attention, as it has experienced the most dramatic increases, with rates rising 37% between 2011/12 and 2021/22. This peak of risk in mid-adolescence aligns with developmental periods of heightened emotional intensity, social pressures, and brain maturation in key regions governing emotion regulation.

It is crucial to understand that hospital admissions represent only a fraction of self-harm episodes occurring in the population. Fewer than 1 in 10 adolescent self-harm episodes result in hospital attendance. This means that the 27,736 admissions figure represents the most severe presentations that required medical intervention. The true prevalence of self-harm in young people is considerably higher, highlighting the gap between clinical data and community prevalence, and the importance of non-clinical prevention and support services.

Why Hospital Data Is Only the Tip of the Iceberg

Hospital admission data is often cited in public health discussions but can be misleading without understanding the broader landscape of self-harm. Research suggests that fewer than 1 in 10 episodes of self-harm in adolescents result in hospital admission. This discrepancy arises for several reasons: many young people conceal their self-harm; others manage injuries without medical intervention; some have access to crisis services that support them without hospitalisation; and the severity threshold for admission is understandably high in a stretched NHS. The 27,736 hospital admissions in 2023/24, therefore, represent approximately 270,000–300,000 actual self-harm episodes among this age group.

Surveys capturing community prevalence provide a more complete picture. The estimated 13–14% of young people under 18 who acknowledge self-harm in any given year far exceeds hospital admission figures. Some research suggests even higher prevalence in specific populations such as university students or LGBTQ+ youth. The gap between hidden prevalence and clinical presentations has important implications for service planning. A reliance on hospital data alone would dramatically underestimate need and miss opportunities for early intervention, prevention, and community-based support. This is why mental health surveys, school-based screening, and community outreach are essential complements to hospital data.

Understanding the iceberg model also highlights why access to non-hospital support services—such as crisis text lines, counselling, peer support, and crisis resolution teams—is so vital. These services can support individuals whose self-harm is severe enough to need intervention but not so acute or medically complex as to require hospital admission. Investment in these intermediate services, based on community prevalence estimates rather than hospital data alone, is essential for comprehensive public health response.

Risk Factors and Associated Mental Health Conditions

Self-harm does not occur in isolation; it is strongly associated with other mental health conditions and identifiable risk factors. Depression is one of the most common accompanying conditions, with the vast majority of individuals who self-harm experiencing depressive symptoms. Anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety, are also prevalent. Post–traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly in those with histories of trauma, abuse, or adverse childhood experiences, significantly increases risk. Eating disorders frequently co-occur with self-harm, and the two may be manifestations of similar underlying psychological distress or emotion regulation difficulties. Autism spectrum conditions and neurodivergence more broadly are increasingly recognised as risk factors, possibly relating to difficulties with emotion regulation and communication of distress.

Beyond individual mental health diagnoses, specific risk factors heighten vulnerability. Cyberbullying and school bullying are powerful predictors of self-harm behaviour, particularly in young people. Social isolation, peer rejection, and loneliness create environments in which self-harm may emerge as a coping mechanism. LGBTQ+ young people experience markedly elevated risks, likely reflecting the additional stressors of identity development, potential family rejection, and minority stress. Historical or current trauma, including childhood maltreatment, intimate partner violence, or major loss, substantially increases risk. Substance misuse often co-occurs and may represent either a risk factor for or a consequence of self-harm behaviour. Relationship breakdown, particularly in young adulthood, frequently precipitates self-harm crises.

The association between limited access to mental health services and self-harm is particularly concerning. Young people and adults who struggle to access timely, appropriate mental health care are at higher risk of turning to self-harm as a coping mechanism. Long waiting times for NHS mental health services, gaps in coverage for certain age groups or geographical areas, and the cost of private provision create barriers to preventive intervention. This underscores the critical importance of investing in accessible, timely mental health services that can engage individuals before self-harm becomes entrenched as a primary coping strategy. Early intervention services, school-based counselling, and community mental health teams play essential roles in addressing this gap.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7). For young people, Childline is available on 0800 1111.

Mental Health First Aid Training

If you work with young people, in education, or in any caring role, Mental Health First Aid training equips you with evidence–based skills to support those struggling with self-harm. Our course covers recognising signs, initiating conversations, and providing appropriate support whilst maintaining boundaries. Understanding self-harm as a coping mechanism rather than attention–seeking, and knowing how to respond with empathy and without judgment, can make a profound difference in someone's journey toward recovery.

Sources and Further Reading

Written by

This article was written by our mental health research team, drawing on the latest data from NHS Digital, the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, and public health resources. All figures are sourced from official UK government health statistics and peer–reviewed research. Last updated: April 2026.